Teaching English to Students with Dyslexia: Strategies and Adapted Materials

Hello, colleagues! My name is York Fern, and I’m an English teacher with many years of classroom experience. Today I’d like to share a personal story and some practical advice about one of the more challenging—yet deeply rewarding—aspects of our job: teaching students with dyslexia. I still remember the first time I worked with a dyslexic learner. Honestly, I felt a little nervous and unsure where to begin. But over time, I realized something crucial: dyslexia is not a barrier to learning, but simply a different way of processing information. And with the right approach, students with dyslexia can thrive. 😊

During my TEFL/TESOL training I learned just how important it is to adapt to the needs of different learners. But even an international teaching certificate can’t prepare you 100% for working with dyslexic students—you learn most of it in practice. In this article, I’ll share how I adapt my English lessons for students with dyslexia. We’ll explore which dyslexia teaching strategies really work in the ESL classroom, and what kinds of adapted materials make lessons more effective and less stressful. Whether you’re a new teacher or a seasoned educator, I hope you’ll find something here that inspires you. Let’s dive in! 🚀

English for Dyslexic Students: Where to Begin

When a new learner with dyslexia joins your class, the first step is to understand what dyslexia really is—and to approach it with positivity. Dyslexia is a specific learning difference that affects how the brain processes written language. Estimates suggest that 5–15% of people worldwide have some form of dyslexia. In simple terms, it’s harder for dyslexic learners to turn letters into words and process written text, even though their intelligence and talents are just as strong as anyone else’s. They may confuse similar-looking letters, skip or rearrange characters, and read more slowly. For example, in English the words “bad” and “dad” can look almost identical to a dyslexic student—after all, the letters b and d are like twins! 😊

The key to teaching English to dyslexic learners is to stop viewing their reading difficulties as laziness or a problem. In reality, the student is trying hard—they just need a different method. My very first dyslexic student came to class full of self-doubt, after years of being told at school that she was “always wrong.” We worked on rebuilding her confidence and creating a safe space where mistakes were normal. A few months later, she was reading short stories in English for pleasure—something she never thought possible. That moment taught me that English for dyslexic students isn’t about faster results; it’s about patience, consistency, and celebrating progress.

How can you recognize a dyslexic learner? Often parents or the student themselves will tell you, but there are also clear signs. Here are some indicators I’ve seen in my classroom:

• Slow reading and writing: the student reads haltingly or writes only in block letters, often very slowly.
• Letter reversals: mixing up b/d/p or m/w, skipping letters, or misplacing syllables.
• Difficulty with sequences: struggling with the alphabet, days of the week, or months of the year.
• Avoiding reading aloud: clear anxiety when asked to read in front of others.

Of course, only specialists can diagnose dyslexia formally. But even without paperwork, teachers can spot these challenges and adapt. The most important message to give your learner is: “You’re capable. We’ll figure this out together.” 💖 Many successful people have dyslexia—Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino, Keira Knightley—so let your students know that they, too, can succeed.

Dyslexia Teaching Strategies That Work

No two students are alike, and there’s no single “magic method.” But over the years I’ve found a set of dyslexia ELT strategies that make a real difference. Experiment, combine approaches, and watch what works best for each learner.

💡 Encouragement and positivity
Build an atmosphere where mistakes aren’t feared. Praise even small wins. Don’t interrupt every error—let the learner finish, then gently revisit the tricky word together. I use self-correction: after completing an exercise, we go back and discuss the tough words so the student notices and fixes errors independently. This builds confidence rather than crushing it. And remember: even international exams like IELTS make accommodations for dyslexic candidates—extra time, large-print texts, or writing assistants. With the right mindset, dyslexia doesn’t block success.

💡 Multimodal learning
Engage multiple senses: sight, sound, touch. Pair text with audio, video, or images. Have students repeat after recordings (shadowing) to practice rhythm and intonation. Use gestures, flashcards, or even physical movement like tracing letters in the air. Kinesthetic activities anchor word forms in memory. Research consistently shows multisensory methods improve results for dyslexic learners.

💡 Games and associations
Games work for all ages, but especially for dyslexic students. They reduce anxiety and make lessons fun. Try memory card games, Hangman, or crosswords. Mnemonics are powerful, too—like remembering the word “because” with “Big Elephants Can Always Understand Small Elephants.” Creativity and humor stick better than rote memorization.

💡 Clear instructions and small steps
Keep instructions short and specific. Break tasks into chunks. Instead of “read and translate the text, then answer the questions,” guide step by step: read a paragraph together, discuss, then move to comprehension questions. Shorter, structured tasks help students feel capable rather than overwhelmed.

💡 Repetition
Spaced repetition is crucial. Review new vocabulary at the end of the lesson, again a few days later, and once more after a week. I also plan monthly reviews. This reinforces long-term retention and gives students the confidence of seeing measurable progress.

💡 Personalization
Link lessons to the learner’s own life. Studying “Family”? Ask them to describe their family. Learning tenses? Use examples from their daily routine. Personal connection boosts motivation and memory.

💡 Teacher flexibility
Have a plan but be ready to pivot. If a task doesn’t click, switch gears. Vary activities: if writing is exhausting, shift to speaking. Keep lessons shorter and more focused—30–40 minutes of intensive work can be more productive than an hour of frustration.

Adapted Materials for Dyslexic Learners

Standard textbooks can be overwhelming—small fonts, crowded pages, and too much text. Adapting materials can transform the experience. Here are practical tips:

• Readable fonts: use large, sans-serif fonts like Arial or Verdana. Avoid italics and ornate styles. Specialized fonts like Dyslexie can help.
• Background color: plain black text on white can be hard to read. Try light-colored paper (cream, yellow) or overlays in soft tones.
• Visual support: add images, icons, and diagrams. Replace long grammar tables with infographics or mind maps.
• Limit new vocabulary: choose shorter texts with fewer unfamiliar words. Provide glossaries or word lists separately.
• Handouts: give printed materials rather than long dictations. Save time and reduce frustration while giving students take-home resources.
• Tech tools: text-to-speech apps, online flashcards, and interactive games diversify learning beyond the printed page.

Many publishers now produce adapted ESL materials designed for students with dyslexia. Personally, I often simplify texts myself—shorter paragraphs, added visuals, and comprehension questions after each section. My students consistently say they feel more confident and less stressed with these adjustments. The right materials can open doors and make learning English a positive experience. 📚

Final Thoughts and Inspiration

To wrap up: teaching English to students with dyslexia may feel daunting at first, but it’s incredibly rewarding. Every small milestone—reading a new word, finishing a story, speaking without fear—is a shared victory. Working with dyslexic learners pushes us to be more patient, creative, and adaptable. And nothing compares to seeing a once-hesitant student proudly read their first English sentence. 💕

If you’re starting your teaching journey—perhaps working toward a TEFL/TESOL certificate—embrace the challenge. Attention to learners’ diverse needs makes you a stronger teacher. Your empathy, skill, and persistence can transform lives. Connect with colleagues, share ideas, and keep experimenting with strategies and materials. Believe in your students—and they will believe in themselves. Wishing you success and endless inspiration on your teaching journey! 😊🚀